The Glovers are second from bottom in the Sky Bet Championship table, five points adrift of 21st-placed Millwall with a game in hand.

But spirits were lifted by a 4-0 win over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

That victory was achieved without the services of striker Miller and midfielder Ralls, who are back with parent clubs Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City, respectively, after their initial loan deals expired on New Year's Day.

Miller did well during his loan spell, scoring three goals in seven league appearances, while Ralls netted one goal in 15 league showings.

Johnson is keen to get the duo back in his playing squad, but is aware Forest would prefer a permanent deal for Miller.

New Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is assessing his squad and may be prepared to send Ralls out on loan again.

And Johnson told the Western Gazette: "They're both still out there. It's just the politics of their clubs and the situations with their clubs. Both have told us they would like to be part of our season.

"Obviously Forest and Ishmael have got to wait and see if there are any offers for him because he could be leaving there.

"I'm sure Cardiff think it would be better for Joe to be having the experience of games. We will have to wait and see.

"They're certainly not definite nos yet but they're certainly not definite yeses. They're both still open at this moment in time."

Readers' Comments

I

t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.